Phillies news: Jean Segura donates food, baseball stadium

Phillies infielder Jean Segura has lent a helping hand — donating food and even a baseball stadium — for those of his native country in this time of need.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jean Segura may not be able to bring smiles to people’s faces through playing professional baseball — as he is used to this time of the year — but that does not mean he cannot find another way to do so.

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The 30-year-old, eight-year veteran gave back to his hometown of San Juan, Dominican Republic, in a tremendous way this weekend. On top of donating a stadium, he spearheaded the preparation and delivery of hundreds of bags containing food items to those in need, according to an area blog.

Segura is not in the country as MLB eyes a potential return to spring training action and with international travel being restricted; rather, most of the food donations were hand-delivered by his parents, Maribel Valdez and Carlos Segura, along with other members of Jean’s Foundation.

“As I had promised. This is the stadium I promised you,” Segura told his hometown’s community members. “Now it’s the town’s opportunity to take care of the field and also help these kids that like me dream to play baseball and be a MLB players. God bless you.”

These are just the latest of the many examples of how Segura’s Foundation has helped those in the Dominican Republic. His help is needed now more than ever, due to circumstances surrounding the pandemic.

“At times like these, … it is necessary that we support those families and entities that so much need a helping hand,” Segura said on a sent note regarding his food donation. “[I hope this] gives them strength and hope as a show of love.”

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Last season, his first in Phillies red pinstripes, Segura slashed a respectable .280/.323/.420 with 37m doubles, 12 home runs, 60 RBI, 30 walks and 73 strikeout spanning 144 games and 618 plate appearances. Given the addition of Didi Gregorius this past offseason, Segura had been slated to change positions, from shortstop to either third or second base full-time.

It is good to see Segura’s helping hand during this time of need, particularly for those in his native country, the Dominican Republic.

(H/t Tim Kelly/PhilliesNation.com)